Game of Thrones Power Shift: Daenerys' Emancipation Conflagration

Sunday

Apr 21, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 21, 2013 at 9:22 PM

The Mother of Dragons has let one of her children out to play.Watch out, kings of Westeros! On Sunday's Game of Thrones, Daenerys "Stormborn" Targaryen's dealings in Slaver's Bay finally paid off with thousands of new followers. Let's just say ...

TV Guide

The Mother of Dragons has let one of her children out to play.Watch out, kings of Westeros! On Sunday's Game of Thrones, Daenerys "Stormborn" Targaryen's dealings in Slaver's Bay finally paid off with thousands of new followers. Let's just say that they're fired up to carry out her cause to win back the Iron Throne. Who else preformed a coup? Who misfired? TVGuide.com breaks down the power plays in "And Now His Watch Is Ended."Game of Thrones: Margaery seeks to control JoffreyPower TrippingDaenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke): Caveat emptor, Astapor. Dany may have agreed to give up one of her dragons in exchange for the Unsullied, but as she told the unwise slave master, "A dragon is not a slave." After the transaction is made, she yells, "Dracarys!" to cue Drogon to breathe fire on the unsuspecting slavers. Those who aren't burned to a crisp are slain by their former slaves - those trained warriors that they just sold to Daenerys. Better yet, the Unsullied agree to follow her even after she gives them their freedom. Emancipating slaves and swelling her army by 8,000 men in one fell swoop? Khaleesi for the win!Varys (Conleth Hill): The eunuch has always been a rather inscrutable fellow, but we see the depths of his passion for the first time during a conversation with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). After recounting the tale of his castration and how he built himself up to become the powerful spymaster he is today, Varys opens a shipping crate recently delivered from across the Narrow Sea. Captured inside is the sorcerer who was responsible for that cruel castration long ago. Varys apparently likes his revenge served very, very cold. We certainly got chills.Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer): King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) appears to be completely besotted with his new fiancée - not only because she hangs on his every vile word, but also because she's done the impossible: She's made him popular with the people of King's Landing! Yes, these are the same people who threw feces at him last season. Funny how much one's mood improves on a full belly. Game of Thrones: The trouble with JoffreyLady Olenna (Diana Rigg): The Queen of Thorns' reputation apparently precedes her. Varys is smart enough to seek her out for one of his schemes. And if it works out, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) will be wed to a Tyrell, which will give Highgarden a claim on the North if her brother Robb (Richard Madden) should fall. We're all for this since it will get her away from the Lannisters and that smarmy Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen)!Power FailureJeor Mormont (James Cosmo): We're pouring a mead for our Night's Watch homie. While defending that crazy wildling Craster (Robert Pugh), Mormont gets slain by ravenous and frustrated Night's Watch traitors. What else do you expect when your recruits are often dangerous criminals?Game of Thrones' Brienne thinks Jaime is scumTheon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen): The guy who released Theon from his torture chamber to supposedly lead him to freedom plays the sickest joke imaginable. After traipsing through the countryside, sharing confidences and sneaking through tunnels, the mysterious man leads Theon right back into the torture chamber. Maybe this is the price you pay for betraying Winterfell?Jaime Lannister (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau): It's bad enough that he had his hand chopped off, but Jaime's captors add insult to injury when he's starved, mocked and tricked into drinking horse urine. Gross! Just put the Kingslayer out of his misery already.Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey): It's clear that when it comes to her son Joffrey, Margaery now has the upper hand. Sadly, an appeal to her father Tywin (Charles Dance) for help goes unheeded as well. What does an incestuous Queen Regent have to do around here to get some respect?Best QuotesVarys: "Influence grows like a weed."Lady Olenna: "We mothers do what we can to keep our sons from the grave, but they do seem to yearn for it." Game of Thrones A to ZorseTheon to his savior/captor: "I made a choice and chose wrong."Jaime Lannister: "I was that hand!'Tywin to Cersei: "I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you're not as smart as you think you are."Dolorous Edd (Ben Crompton) at the funeral pyre for his Night's Watch brother: "Bannon smells good!"Are you psyched that Dany finally has her army? Were you surprised by the twist in Theon's fate? What were your favorite moments of the episode?

View original Game of Thrones Power Shift: Daenerys' Emancipation Conflagration at TVGuide.com